Religion in America (1 John 4:19-5:5)
Gary McManus, 03/19/2023Part of the Life With Jesus is Better series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
March 19, 2023 1 John 4:19-5:5
Book: “What’s the least I can believe and still be a Christian;
a guide to what matters most,” by Martin Thielen
What is the least I can believe and still be a Christian?
Isn’t this the wrong question?
Is what you ARE determined by what you claim to
believe? What if Pastor wants to be a handsome Prince?
Can he “believe” his way there?
To “BE” or “become” a Christian will require more
than thinking/thoughts/beliefs.
In some religions it IS what you believe:
The Five Pillars of Islam.
A Muslim does not have to do or read more.
Pastor suggests that.becoming a Christian is much
more about WHO you believe—Jesus.
And the answer to that question is, of course, Jesus.
Americans and Religion(s) in America.
--fewer Americans attend worship services
--more Americans consider themselves UNAFFILIATED.
--more Americans now say they’re spiritual but not religious
See The Fetzer Study of Spirituality in the United States,
2020.
There are some surprising statements in the report.
One of Pastor’s favorite films, Bruce Almighty,
asks the question. . .
How many people really know what they want?
or, how many people really know what they
really want?
--lottery winners?
--the suddenly rich and famous?
--entertainers? music producers? professional athletes?
Or take suicides in this country—a decision made by
the suicide and carried out by the suicide.
Suicide is such a bad decision.
Are the results what the suicide really wanted?
Suicidal people, murder in-the-heat-of-the-moment,
murder-suicide. (Towns of refuge, Numbers 35:6)
And what about the suicidal who do not suicide?
DCC website, sermon “series”:
“Life With Jesus is Better.” No matter what,
anyone’s life can be better with Jesus.
Pastor believes someone. Pastor believes in Jesus.
Was Jesus a good teacher or was Jesus a teacher
of Good?
When we interview Americans today, we are not
asking, “what do you say about Jesus of Nazareth?”
Last year, sermons talked about so-called believers
and Pastors in this country. (Be warned!)
Now consider murderers, Payton Gendron, the
Dead-Sea-scrolls Messiah, Japan and Germany
in World War 2, Dylan Roof:
Calculated, planned murders
Our Lord Jesus said (John10:10): the thief comes
ONLY to kill and steal and to destroy, but I have
come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Today’s God’s Word: LOVE
Is it what we believe or who we believe?
Amen.
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